CSR

Control of Exhaust Gas and Reduction of Emissions of VOCs and Waste

Control of Exhaust Gas

We control exhaust gas by observing the discharge standards in the “Air Pollution Control Act” and regulatory values based on agreements with local communities. We maintain the proper conditions in our desulfurization facilities and denitrification facilities in an effort to control the emissions of air pollutants such as sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). In FY2017, SOx emissions was reduced by 50% compared to that of previous fiscal year by boiler fuel conversion to natural gas.

Reduction of Emissions of VOCs

We regularly take initiatives to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which cause the formation of photochemical oxidants. Among the twelve substances of VOCs which were selected, formulated voluntary management plan, and worked on reduction by chemical industry, three (1,2-dichloroethane, benzene, and formaldehyde) were handled in the Company. As a result of measures such as the introduction of VOC removal equipment, 1,2-dichloroethane has not been discharged to the atmosphere since 2006. In addition, emissions of benzene have been eliminated since FY2017 due to the conversion of naphtha to natural gas as a fuel and feedstock. We are also reducing emissions of formaldehyde through measures such as sealing facilities and combustion treatment of exhaust gases.

Reduction of Waste

We thoroughly implement control measures to ensure the proper disposal of waste, while also are striving to reduce industrial waste. We also applied electronic manifests using legal compliance system for waste.

Waste water discharged in the manufacturing process accounts for the majority of our industrial waste. We treat this waste internally by means of combustion. The amount of waste generated began to rise in FY2014 due to an increase in the production volume of organic fine chemicals and flame retardants attributed to their new uses. As for solid waste, we reuse sludge as feedstock for the base course material of roads and cement. In addition, at the Toyama Plant, we promote the recycling of waste plastics and the conversion of such plastics to valuables, and we have changed the method of their intermediate processing to increase the recycling volume. As a result, the final disposal volume reduced compared to that of FY2016. The recycling rate※ was calculated and confirmed to be 97.9% in FY2017. Our goal is to achieve a recycling rate of 99.5% or higher.